The cars will be prepared by Triple Eight Race Engineering, one of the most successful constructors in touring car racing. And completing the ‘dream team’ are principal sponsors Tesco Fuels with their Momentum 99 brand and KX energy drink completing an all-British line-up.

MG KX Momentum Racing will debut at Brands Hatch on April 1 when the 2012 Dunlop MSA BTCC championship season gets under way.

The MG6 GT five-door fastback is the first all-new MG in 16 years. It is designed and engineered at MG Motor UK’s plant in Birmingham where final assembly also takes place.

Jason Plato is the most successful driver in BTCC racing history with 68 career wins, with more fastest laps, pole and podium positions than any other driver in the history of the Series. He is undoubtedly the face of British Touring Cars as well as being a well-known and respected TV presenter and newly appointed Director of the British Racing Drivers Club.

Plato said: “It’s really exciting to be involved in a brand-new all-British team and it’s just brilliant that the iconic name of MG will be back on the track.”

Guy Jones, MG Motor’s Sales & Marketing Director, said: “We are delighted that the new MG6 will be seen by millions of fans in Britain and beyond and this continues the famous sporting lineage of the brand.”

Triple Eight, headed by Ian Harrison, is based at Greatworth, just a few miles from the famous Silverstone race circuit. The company has more than 100 BTCC race wins to its credit.

I mentioned that in the BTCC calendar thread. I haven’t seen or heard anything. But with MG joining, then that makes 3 teams that can gun for the manufacturers’ championship… providing Chevy stay, of course. Maybe they’re done with BTCC? Not wanting to update to the NGTC rules?

It’s been mentioned elsewhere that RML might be staying (they appear to have kept the Silverline sponsorship) with MacDowell being retained an a top driver taking the other seat, the door is open for Giovanardi, Thompson or Turkington. We’ll have to see if Chevrolet stay on board but they’re launching a lot of new models this year so the publicity in the UK might be worthwhile.

This does at least mean that Honda have a rival manufacturer so they won’t be tempted to pull out of the BTCC too soon.

It’s been mentioned elsewhere that RML might be staying (they appear to have kept the Silverline sponsorship) with MacDowell being retained an a top driver taking the other seat, the door is open for Giovanardi, Thompson or Turkington.

And if none of those names bite, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Paul O’neill making a move to the team. I don’t think he’s been confirmed elsewhere yet.